Christmas markets 2024: opening dates and times throughout France

“Markets Christmas Market 2024: opening dates and times throughout France”

CHRISTMAS MARKET. The “villages Christmas markets and other Christmas markets are about to open in Paris, Rennes, Reims, Alsace, and ; Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Toulouse and many other cities in France.

Christmas markets, set up in their small wooden chalets in the heart of our towns and villages, open all over France from mid-November. You can enjoy the illuminations, richly decorated Christmas trees, Christmas carols, carousels, Ferris wheels and wooden chalets in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Grenoble and Avignon… In addition to the markets, the Christmas spirit also takes over the squares and alleys where sumptuous decorations and entertainment for children will delight the whole family.

From December onwards, Alsatian towns and villages light up in Christmas colours. Luminous decorations, Christmas carols, Christmas craft markets to fill your sack and the sweet scent of cinnamon invade the streets. It's time to prepare the famous bredele, traditional Christmas biscuits, to take the path of the nativity scenes of Bergheim, to listen to popular Alsatian stories in the Enchanted Forest of Altkirch or to stock up on gifts in the Christmas markets of Colmar or Mulhouse.

About twenty Christmas markets are set up in the capital from the end of November, among which the unmissable Christmas markets of the Tuileries, Paris Notre-Dame and the Défense, as well as the Alsatian Christmas market at the Gare de l'Est. All the information with the opening dates of the must-sees below:

• Christmas Market at La Défense

The largest Christmas market in Ile-de-France, but a little further out in Hauts-de-Seine (92), the Christmas Market of La Défense is open from Thursday, November 14 to Sunday, December 29, 2024, with around a hundred chalets and a guest of honor: Quebec. Restaurateurs and exhibitors welcome you from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the exception of Tuesday, December 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday December 25 closed. 

© Christmas March Paris La Défense

• Market Tuileries Christmas Party

The market Christmas show by showman Marcel Campion, “The Magic of Christmas at the Tuileries”, will be back for the 6th year at the Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde. ;nbsp;The usual program: an ice rink, Santa Claus and many tastings and gift ideas. From 16th November 2024 to January 1, 2025, daily from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Exceptionally closed on Saturday 24th and Saturday 31st December at 7:30 p.m.

• Marché ; Christmas at Gare de l'Est

Alsace celebrates Christmas at the Gare de l'Est from November 29 to December 15, 2024 for the 42nd edition on the forecourt of the station, Place du 11 Novembre 1918 in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. On the menu: charcuterie and cheese from Christlesgut, gingerbread and biscuits from Fortwenger, fresh Alsatian pasta from Tante Germaine, wines, liqueurs and spirits from Domaine Jean Becker, Christmas decorations… Open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing at 6 p.m. on December 15).

• Marché Christmas of the Abbesses

Christmas is coming to Montmartre from Friday, November 22, 2024 to Sunday, January 7, 2025, every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Place des Abbesses, at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, where 15 small wooden chalets await you, offering regional products, jewelry and accessories Made in France.

• Marché Paris Notre-Dame Christmas Market

The Paris Notre-Dame Christmas Market takes place from Friday, November 29 to Monday, December 25, 2024at the foot of the cathedral, square René Viviani, quai de Montebello in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. On the program: sausages, foie gras, macaroons, cheeses, fruits, ceramics, textiles, leather, metallurgy, calligraphy, painting, children's drawing and storytelling competitions… Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closing at 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

• Christmas markets at the Pavillon des Canaux

At 39, quai de la Loire in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, the Pavillon des Canaux hosts several Christmas markets: Frusques Market on December 2, Le Vilain March on December 9 and 10, and Canal Vintage on December 16 and 17 2024.

Many Christmas markets are set up in the capital of Brittany. The Christmas Village takes place on the Place du Parlement de Bretagne, illuminated from November 30 to January 5 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a giant Christmas tree, gourmet chalets and the box letters to send his request to Santa's secretariat. 

From November 22 to December 31, 2024, the Mail François Mitterrand Christmas market takes place on the “Champs-Elys&eacutees Rennes" with around fifty chalets on Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., from Friday to Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other smaller Christmas markets take place: the market Christmas of the creators place Hoche from November 29 to December 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the market at the Ateliers du Vent and Mur habité at 59 rue Alexandre Duval on December 12 and 13, 2024, the Christmas of the Establishments, Comme un Etabli on December 14 and 15, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Les Arts du feu at the town hall square, from December 12 to 15, 2024.

The Christmas market in the city of Perpignan takes place from Friday, November 22, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025, every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Quai Vauban and in the various squares of the city center. It has 22 chalets offering artisanal creations, gift ideas, and stands selling sweet treats and hot chestnuts, on Place de la République, Place Gambetta, Place Péri, Place Rigaud, Place Arago, Place Catalogne and Place Payra.

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The Marseille Christmas market is held in the pedestrian zone at the bottom of the Canebiere, from November 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025, from Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., from Friday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the program: around forty artisans and creators, and entertainment. As for the famous Santon Fair of Marseille, it returns from November 16, 2024 to January 5, 2025 on the Quai du Port.

The traditional Santon Fair of Marseille. © ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP

The Avignon Christmas market will be held on Place Pie and Place Saint-Jean le Vieux from November 29 to December 29, 2024, every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with late-night openings on Fridays and Saturdays. On the program: around sixty chalets offering typical Provençal products, orchestras, folk dancing and Christmas carols…

The Avignon Christmas market de Noël de Lyon is held from November 22 to December 24, 2024 and welcomes nearly 90 chalets on Place Carnot in the 2nd arrondissement from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Place des Quinconces will host the Bordeaux Christmas market from November 29 to December 29, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with around a hundred exhibitors to find many gifts and gastronomic gems. An illuminated carousel is also installed in front of the Grand Théâtre.

The Toulouse Christmas market, which welcomes 120 immaculate white chalets on the Place du Capitole, takes place from November 24 to December 26, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. except Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. On the program, catering chalets, food chalets, clothing chalets, world craft chalets, decoration chalets, jewelry chalets and a 200 m2 ice rink!

The Lille Christmas Village, which takes place on Place Rihour every year, will take place from Wednesday, November 20 to Sunday December 29, 2024 Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (except closing on December 24). On the program, 90 chalets with gift ideas, santons, tree decorations and festive products, specialties from here and elsewhere!

The Grenoble Christmas market is held from November 22 to December 24, 2024 on Place Victor Hugo. Throughout the duration of the Grenoble Christmas markets, traders, children's entertainment and concerts punctuate the life of the city. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The third most beautiful Christmas market in Europe, the Metz Christmas Market is set up from November 22 to December 30, 2024. On the 120 chalets located in the 5 squares of the Enchanted Markets, you will find local crafts, the Christmas pyramid, two rides, gourmet wagons for a culinary journey, a Ferris wheel and sweet treats with the scents of gingerbread and cinnamon.

While Christmas markets can be found in many towns and cities in France, those held in Alsace are particularly renowned and welcome tens of thousands of visitors each year, such as the Strasbourg Christmas market, one of the most popular of all. These historic markets, festive squares and timeless places bring the magic of Christmas to life in Alsace.

Christmas Market in Colmar

The Colmar Christmas Market is the second largest Christmas market in France after the Strasbourg Christmas Market. From November 26 to December 29, 2024, come and enjoy the magic of Christmas in this city of art and history that smells of orange and cinnamon. At nightfall, a path of light guides you to its Christmas markets, highlighting the city's incredible architecture, dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. 6 Christmas markets fairytales usually take place in the city of Colmar:

• Marché de la Place des Dominicains, around sixty wooden houses await you in front of the 14th century Dominican Church, whose stained glass windows are illuminated at nightfall.
• Marché de la Place des Dominicains from the Old Customs Square, around fifty wooden houses are arranged around the Schwendi fountain. When night falls, the Koiumlfhus, an imposing building of the Old Customs House, is adorned with lights.
• Market on Place Jeanne d'Arcwhere you can find traditional half-timbered houses, local produce is on sale. in the spotlight: foie gras, charcuterie, wines, spirits and biscuits.
• Indoor arts and crafts market of the Koïfhus, at 29 Grand' street, presents the creations of around twenty local artisans: ceramicists, potters, master glassmakers, cabinetmakers, wood sculptors, hatters, jewelers, etc.
• Marché des Enfants de la Petite Venise, Place des 6 Montagnes Noires, is a true paradise for children. Come admire the mechanical nativity scene, drink a hot apple juice, and have your children parade on the merry-go-round horses and take them to post their mail in Santa's giant mailbox.
• Marché gourmand, rue de la Montagne Verte, is a village entirely dedicated to gastronomy with 9 cabins and 9 chefs and master restaurateurs who will concoct divine dishes for you. Plates to enjoy on site or to take away, with friends and family. Visit the official website of the Colmar Christmas Market.

Marché Mulhouse Christmas Market

Mulhouse is the second largest city in Alsace after Strasbourg. The Mulhouse Christmas market has a very unique character with its Christmas fabric created to decorate the city's facades and streets. It will be back from November 22 to December 27, 2024. 

Christmas Market in Kaysersberg

Kaysersberg, élu favorite villageé of the French in 2017, offers a market authentic Christmas, behind the Sainte-Croix church and in the courtyard of the Arsenal, with quality crafts, every weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) from November 29 to December 22, 2024.

From Reims to Montbéliard via Amiens or Arras, discover a non-exhaustive list of other must-see Christmas markets in France:

• Reims Christmas Market from November 27 to December 29, 2024
• Reims Christmas Market Christmas in Arras from November 29 to December 29, 2024
• Marché Christmas in Amiens from November 22 to December 29, 2024
• Marché Bëel de Béthune from November 29 to December 29, 2024
• Marché Montbéliard Christmas Festival from November 23 to December 24, 2024